Muhammad Shoaib overcame immense challenges to win an ITF Futures title in Islamabad, ending Pakistan's 20-year wait for a singles title in international tennis.
Hauling itself up from World Group II should not be a complicated task for India when it takes on an unostentatious Morocco in the home tie, which will be more of a celebration of Rohan Bopanna's Davis Cup career.
Three Indians, including top seed Rohan Bopanna, stormed into the singles semifinals of the $ 10,000 India F5 Futures ITF Men's Circuit being played at the CLTA Stadium in Chandigarh on Thursday.
The up-and-coming junior was humbled by the Indian Davis Cupper after winning the first set in the ITF Futures tournament.
The sixth seeded Indian was beaten by unseeded Diana Julianto of Indonesia in the first round in the ITF Futures tournament.
Harsh Mankad staged a strong recovery after losing the first set to beat up-and-coming Navdeep Singh and enter the quarter-finals in the US $10,000 ITF Futures tournament in Mumbai on Wednesday. Mankad used his experience and Navdeep's restricted movement to clinch the second round match 6-7, 7-5, 6-2 in three hours and 16 minutes.
India's Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali on Sunday said it was good for home team players to have got the chance to test themselves in the tie against Chinese Taipei but felt that Saketh Myneni needs to develop fast as a big player if they are to win matches against tough opponents.
India, with players of the caliber of Sumit Nagal, Ramkumar Ramanathan and veteran Leander Paes, were already expected to win easy but pulling out of Pakistan top players Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan has made it a no-contest.
Young Sumit Nagal showed spark in his game on Davis Cup debut before 'breathing problem' scuttled his victory march as India suffered a 5-0 whitewash at the hands of mighty Spain in the World Group Play-off tie, in New Delhi on Sunday. Up against the reigning Olympic and French Open doubles champion Marc Lopez, who does not play singles anymore, the 19-year-old Nagal dominated the proceedings under muggy conditions before losing 3-6 6-1 3-6 in the dead fourth rubber, that lasted more than two hours. It was a mountainous task for Ramkumar Ramanathan to prevent a clean sweep since he had world number 13 David Ferrer as his opponent. The Spaniard cruised to a 6-2 6-2 win to complete a dominating 5-0 win for his side even as Ramkumar fought his heart out, giving his all.
Nagal's court coverage and solid defence in long drawn points was the highlight of his win.
The Tamil Nadu-based Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, who recently made his Davis Cup debut and is expected to lead India's doubles challenge in coming years, is spending time hitting at private courts and handling the marketing of their family resort in Pondicherry.
Italian tennis player Marco Cecchinato has been banned for 18 months and fined 40,000 euros ($44,024) for match-fixing, the Italian tennis federation has announced.
Walking out of the outside courts at the Balewadi stadium, his gait was assuring as he uttered, "no more singles for me".
Hyderabad girl Bhuvana Kalva's comeback story reflects true grit
How the 22-year-old Indian reached the Show Court at US Open, finding himself against 20-time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer after beginning the year outside 350.
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Sunday
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Monday
An Indian tennis team will travel to Pakistan after 55 years. The last time they sparred on Pakistan soil was way back in March 1964 in Lahore, where India won 4-0.
Italian Bracciali banned for life, Starace for 10 years
The Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy, which opened last autumn on the Spanish island of Mallorca, is charging kids 56,000 euros ($62,000) a year for tennis lessons and school.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances